Leinster chief puts provincial bodies under spotlight

The future of the GAA’s provincial bodies will be discussed at the Leinster Council Convention on Friday.

Leinster’s chief executive Michael Delaney has called on his management committee to allow a frank discussion at one of the body’s workshops and asked delegates not to allow “personalities” dominate the debate.

“There was much talk during the last year about the provincial championships,” he wrote in his annual report to convention. “Many players and mentors felt that the current method of deciding All-Ireland championships is very unbalanced and very much favours counties from the smaller provinces.

“This line of thinking led on to the wider debate which addressed the role and relevance of a provincial council.

“There is always the danger that those of us at the centre of a unit of the association can develop a siege mentality and be blinded by an inflated opinion of our own importance to the general good.”

Delaney wants delegates to consider 10 key questions ranging from the bodies’ current role to what would happen if there were none in place.

“I would love people to be open and honest if or when this is debated at convention or in some other forum in the near future.

“Personalities should not dominate the opinions — what I’m asking for is a cold, hard, detached look at the role and relevance of Leinster Council.”

The Laois man also wants boards and provincial councils to stop prioritising inter-county games ahead of club fixtures.

“For as long as I remember we have selfishly promoted the inter-county scene. After all, it is our bread and butter. In tandem with reviewing our fixture schedule in Leinster I feel it would be appropriate, also, to carry out a forensic review of the structures of our competitions.”

He asked whether it made sense giving Kilkenny, as reigning provincial champions, a bye into the Leinster SHC semi-finals when there were nine teams competing for the honour.

He also wondered was there any point continuing the Leinster junior football and intermediate hurling championships.

However, he insisted a review of colleges’ participation in the recently branded Bord na Móna Leinster series, should be a priority.

“Has the time come to grasp the nettle of college participation and the annual arguments between counties and colleges over availability of players? What is the purpose of these competitions?

“How does a St Patrick’s v GMIT Kehoe Cup final benefit either the preparation of Leinster county teams for the Allianz Hurling League or the coffers of the Special Injury Fund?

“Should we consider dispensing with the Shield Competitions and play the O’Byrne Cup, Walsh Cup and Kehoe Cup on a league basis, guaranteeing each team at least three games? This would certainly facilitate counties, in their planning, in preparation for the leagues.”